ANNUAL REPORT 2016 From the President’s Corner

grateful for the efforts of all. My • Starting a new program of compli- hope is that in the next year, Re- ance with our Policy and Procedures covery can expect the same level of commitment and support as we • Working closely with our CEO, continue to move in a direction to accountants and auditors to develop a new banking system for the reach the many people who can organization, a work in progress benefit from the services offered by the organization, giving us the • Hiring our new CEO Sandra tools to live more peaceful lives. Wilcoxon, with a high level of experience and professionalism, In order to monitor, protect and which has proven to be a great asset oversee Recovery, I am pleased to to Recovery. report the following accomplish- ments made this past year: It has been my honor to be your President this past year and I • Adding four new members to our look forward to helping Recovery I want to extend thanks to all of Board of Directors achieve the growth, prosperity and the people from New York to stability that it so deserves. • Overseeing a restructuring of spend- California and all of our Interna- ing and accounting practices tional associates who have been To our next 80 years, so inspirational to me in my first • Initiating new policies and year as President and as we cele- procedures for all aspects of the brate our 80th anniversary. organization, a work in progress

• Establishing new task forces to over- Joanne Lampey As I reflect over the past year, see new and old programs Recovery has been supported by Board President funders, members, volunteers, • Establishing a request for proposal Board members, participants and process for all new programs staff who generously stepped up • Appointing new officers to the plate to bring Recovery forward to support a new gener- • Participating in fund raising projects ation of people. I am extremely

The mission of Recovery International is to use the cognitive-behavioral peer-to-peer self-help training system developed by Abraham Low, MD, to help people facing mental and behavioral health issues gain skills for leading more peaceful and productive lives.

2 “RI has improved communication between family members and myself.”

Nate’s Story Headquarters

Something truly great happened to me today... 2016 was an active year for everyone at Recov- ery International. At headquarters, changing staff, When my symptoms overwhelmed me six months adjusting to our new location, and improving our ago, I could not leave the house; I lost my voice and I internal policies and procedures have kept us busy was not able to engage with people. and productive.

Last night I thought of the many possibilities I now Our small staff managed all the administrative and have thanks to my RI training and decided to get up operational components of the organization, which and work on my resume. I ended up posting it on a includes maintaining relationships with vendors, few job-searching apps and went to bed feeling I had funders, and partners; conducting major outreach taken another step to gaining back my people skills. and fundraising efforts; conducting trainings; main- My passion truly is customer service. taining grants and contracts; managing RI’s finances and accounts; operating RI’s website and database; This morning I found an email from someone request- producing most of RI’s internal and external commu- ing an interview, as she had seen my resume and had nications; managing product inventory; complying an opening. I got into so many symptoms, and had to with all legal, governmental, and professional regu- stop and re-read the email to make sure my reply was lations; responding to several thousand phone and objective. Satisfied that it was, I pressed send and got email inquiries; assisting our community members a call within the following ten minutes to schedule a with memberships, donations, and product orders; phone interview. and—most important—supporting RI’s amazing lead- ers and all of RI’s meetings. Two things: First, I did well in the interview—I paced myself to make sure my racing thoughts didn’t get This work sustains our organization and will expand ahead of answering the questions. Second—I felt so the impact of our mission and values for years to good speaking about myself to a stranger for some- come. thing I know I am good at, that I don’t even care if I get the job. The fact that I was brave enough to put myself out there and go through the experience with a smile “RI has helped me with on my face was something too refreshing and positive not to share. my anger, and I no longer want to explode.”

Recovery International 2016 Annual Report 3 Community Meetings

Recovery International leaders are the heart and All of these highly skilled leaders, whether work- soul of our organization. They demonstrate the RI ing alone or together, demonstrate their commit- Method and keep Dr. Low’s 80-year-old vision alive ment to RI on a daily basis. by offering community meetings in the original face- to-face format. In 2016, 530 group leaders provided To support our community meetings, we are mental health support to approximately 78,000 implementing new strategies to reach out to people participants in 374 weekly meetings throughout who may need our services, revamping our leader- the United States. The free-will model used in these ship training methods, and working with area leaders meetings generated more than $150,000 in con- to provide public relations tools. Additionally, RI tributions in 2016, while still providing services to continues to provide low-cost mental health services anyone regardless of their ability to donate. through new avenues and technologies such as tele- phone meetings, online meetings, and social media These figures reflect the hard work of our enor- outlets. These measures have extended RI’s services mous volunteer leadership base. Our leaders ded- to people throughout the United States and abroad, icate countless hours to promoting their meetings and reflect the continued interest in the RI method. and managing our 40 geographical areas. Often, the size of these areas – covering two or more states – requires collective leadership. In such ar- eas, leaders may divide responsibilities and make “RI has given me more joint decisions about training, collecting funds, self-respect and the and submitting paperwork to help their area grow. In other cases, one leader takes on the responsibil- ability to express myself ity of running an entire area. in a cultured manner.”

Online Meetings

Recovery International offers several options for people seeking online meetings and interactions: Chat Rooms, Facebook, and Web Meetings.

Web Meetings These online meetings are similar to face-to-face meetings and offer members from around the world the opportunity to participate in a virtual space. Web meetings follow the same structure as other RI meeting formats. We discuss temper and environment, complete a reading each week, support attendees with the structured four-part example, and offer mutual aid.

In 2016, we increased the number of web meetings Now serving 150 people per month, RI web meetings offered each week from one to three, and this have drawn participants from as far away as Japan, year we plan to expand further. We have prepared Saudi Arabia, and Great Britain. We’ve also had teens 23 power point presentations with excerpts from participate along with their parents. We believe that the readings, and participants can follow along their comfort level with technology and the anonym- on their screens as well as ask questions and offer ity of this format is conducive to youth participation. comments.

4 If you would like to participate in an online meeting his team also regularly monitor the chat rooms, with from the comfort of your own home, please register the aim of helping those with immediate needs. To and log in on the Meetings tab on our website. Steve join in, go to the Meetings tab on the website and Ferradino will assist newcomers as they become login at the chat room page. accustomed to this format.

Facebook We created two new Facebook pages in 2016. The first, the open page—available for anyone to see— is for announcements, events, promotions, the newsletter, and Weekly Wisdoms. More important, though, is the closed page—intended to offer some of the features of a “meeting”, where people can post examples and get feedback. Irene L., one of our dedicated volunteers from the San Diego area, monitors the closed page.

Chat Rooms In 2016, Gus O. and his team have facilitated chat room meetings for about 70 participants each week, totaling about 3,300 mental health service hours per year. Gus and

Telephone Groups

The first telephone pilot meeting was launched continued practice, participants may advance in July of 2004. Through the hard work and to assigned meetings. dedication of our excellent leaders, phone meetings have expanded and attendance We also have a system in place to assist those continues to grow. already familiar with the RI method who would like to transition to phone meetings. Several types of The phone groups presently hold 19 meetings phone meetings are currently offered: Traditional per week, with 983 meetings held in 2016 serv- Assigned, Supplemental, Literature, Introduction, ing 15,120 participants. Via these phone groups, and Special Focus for those with chronic health our 19 leaders, 18 assistant leaders, 2 apprentice problems. leaders, and 2 part-time staff, introduce individuals to the Recovery International method and provide To learn more, please visit our website www.recov- daily meetings to those who do not live near com- eryinternational.org or contact staff members Gilda munity meetings, cannot attend in person or who Marconi or Camille Rizzo. simply find phone meetings better suited to their schedule.

The Introduction to Recovery meetings were re- “RI helps me to manage structured in January 2017. Our new system my daily life and the provides newcomers a weekly training meeting designed to help people learn and practice the RI feelings I experience method. Once newcomers have successfully com- pleted six consecutive training sessions, the meet- in each day.” ing leader will determine if they are ready to advance to supplemental meetings. After

Recovery International 2016 Annual Report 5 Community Partnerships

Building relationships in local communities is who are trying to regain custody of their children by important to Recovery International’s success. addressing their mental health, addiction, and anger Whether making use of a local facility to hold management issues. meetings, partnering with another mental health organization to augment their programs, or In addition, through a long-time collaboration with securing funding for promotional efforts and San Diego’s Community Research Foundation, RI of- expansion, our Area and Group Leaders network with fers 10 meetings at various community centers and others to introduce RI to multiple communities. clinics, providing tools for participants to manage their mental and behavioral health issues. These key For example, two key partnerships formed in San partnerships allow RI to offer 14 meetings serving Diego have enabled us to serve the truly needy. more than 100 people per month who would not be The first, a collaboration with Mental Health Sys- reached through our regular meetings. tems, introduced RI to the Serial Inebriate Program (SIP), which serves those who have been repeatedly In Los Angeles, Recovery International has partnered arrested for public intoxication and who suffer from with a local self-help center, SHARE!, to add to the chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness, other programs offered there. This enables us to and mental illness. These people are given the reach and serve people with a broad range of choice of going to jail or being in the program, and diagnoses. those who choose SIP learn the RI method to manage their anger and fears. We are grateful to our community partners in southern California, and to all those throughout the In a second Mental Health Systems collaboration, country who support RI programs, host meetings, RI facilitates meetings at Harmony Women’s and refer people to our services: Rehabilitation Program, assisting young mothers

Arbor Vista Clubhouse Library Community Research Foundation John Merlo Public Library Arcadia Mental Health Center Clubhouses and Clinics Kaiser Permanente Beth El Synagogue Community Resource Center Kearns Library Biblioteca Municipal de Bayamon Community Service Building Maimonides Medical Center Boca Raton Community Center Corner Club House Mapleton Clinic Bourne Memorial Community Center DePaul City Center Mar Vista - Culver City Brecksville Community Center Deptford Free Public Library Marks Street Senior Center Brentwood Public Library Douglas Park Clubhouse Memorial Hospital Rebel Drop-in Brookdale Senior Living East Corner Club House Center Bryden Place Nursing Home Ecumenical Center for Religion Mental Health America Burke Center Conference Room and Health Mental Health and Addiction Network Burns Community Center Elant of Newburgh Mental Health Center of Greater California Men’s Center Employment Services Advisory Board Manchester California Pacific Medical Center Exodus Recovery Admin Offices Mental Health Systems: CAHM Forum (Community Alliance FDR VA Hospital Harmony Women’s Rehabilitation Healthy Minds) Forest Hills Public Library Serial Inebriate Program Campus Office Park Fourteen Holy Helpers School Mariposa Clubhouse Carlsbad Senior Center Greenwich House Employment Services Casa Del Sol Clubhouse Guardian Angels School Advisory Board Centerville Library Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center Methodist Richardson Hospital Centro de Bellas Artes Guayama Hampton Hospital Metro Hospital CHEC Centre Harbor UCLA Medical Center Mid-Coast Regional Recovery Center Chevy Chase Community Center Heritage Oaks Office Bldg Missoula Public Library City Island Library Hollywood Mental Health Center Montana State Hospital Clarence Public Library Horizon Club Mountain View Clubhouse - Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Horner Park Field House Desert Palm Community Center of La Canada Incarnate Word Retirement NAMI (various state and city chapters) Flintridge Community Neveh Shalom Synagogue Community Counseling Center James J. Peters VA Medical Center Old Northwood Community Center Community Miracles Center Jeff Industries Olewine Memorial Library

6 “RI brought calm and peace to my life.”

Orange County Mental Health Assn. Foundation Youth Group Building Orange County Wellness Center South Bay Mental Health Center Zion Lutheran School Oregon State Hospital Southern Adirondack Center for Peer Place -Park Plaza Independent Living Plus more than 165 churches of many Plainview Beth Page Public Library Southfield Civic Center denominations across the country that PNC Bank St. Joseph’s Regional Medical open their facilities to our meetings. Prospect Park Yeshiva Center Putnam Independent Living St. Paul’s School Service St. Pius School 2016 Highlights Rancho Penasquitos Library Starting Point Rancho San Diego Library Suicide Prevention Council • 530 U.S. area and group leaders Recovery Academy Sunshine Group at Mardel Christian Richford Fire House Temple Emmanuel Mental Health • 416 Web and chat meetings Ridgestone Condos Committee • 852 Affiliate meetings in Canada Ring Seven Building Thibodaux Public Library Rite Self Help Support Center Thurnher House, Lacy Park • 983 Phone meetings River Oak Center University City Library • 1,275 Affiliate meetings in Rose Hill Center V.A. Community Center Ireland Sacramento County Mental Health Waccamaw Mental Health Clinic Treatment Center Webster Community Center • 19,448 Peer-led meetings in U.S. Sacred Heart University West Islip Library Salina Public Library Wheatfield Towers • 132,900 People attending San Diego Mental Health Coalition Wilson Epstein Building meetings Senior Service Center Wolverine Area Senior Center SHARE! Woodland Memorial Hospital Silicon Valley Community Woodland West Library

Recovery the Family Way

I was introduced to Recovery International at Rose My own successes include finding a friend at RI, and Hill (a mental health treatment facility in Michigan). working the program myself so that mom and dad When I came home after nine months, I told mom had the confidence that they could take a vacation and dad about RI. We eventually went to a meeting without worrying about me. While mom and dad in Dallas, and were blown away. were on their trip, I found ways to stay busy. My sis- ter took me out to eat and took me along while she In 2011, the three of us decided to learn enough to did errands. bring RI to Denton, Texas, where we lived. As we taught the RI method to others, they grew alongside us. My growth in the RI program has been slow, but I have matured. Before RI, after every step I took in One person started out needing to be in her growing mentally, I slid backwards. RI has supported apartment all the time, then became able to drive, my steady growth forward, with no slips back. and now is functioning fine in doing daily chores and activities. Another person got a job while I remember a long time ago when I was scary to using the RI method. A third person got a sales job, others because of my outbursts. Now, for five or six became a boss, and was sent overseas to start an years, I have stayed out of the hospital. With the RI office there. Another person in our group moved tools and spots, I can decide to stay calm for my from working in a job that wasn’t a good fit for him to benefit as well as the benefit of family and friends. finding a job he really liked where his employer also likes him. These are only a few of the successes we Thomas Fidler have had. Denton, Texas

Recovery International 2016 Annual Report 7 2016 Donor Honor Roll We are grateful to all our donors for their support of RI’s mission this past year. These gifts enable us to serve those who cannot contribute and to expand programs to serve new populations in need.

Platinum Patrons Larry Kipperman Wayne Mecca Conrad Cafritz Anonymous David Lisowski Mary Nelson June Calamia Phyllis Low Berning Crispin Nestler Joan Nobiling Antonio Carvalho Dolores Bihun Estate Sheila Rabel Mike Polizzi Hal Casey Moyra Curran Estate Janice Ritland Christy Ray Frances Check Marian Fox Estate Rebecca Wightman Harry Reynolds John Christiansen Dolores Fuhrman Estate Sandra Wilcoxon Joan Richardson Jim Cranston Charlotte Smith David Wood Jack & Linda Shepard Tom Creed Marcella Welch Eve Sommerich Linda Darga Anne Will Trust Patrons Lloyd Spangen Jodi Davis Stephen Allen Sidney Thorum Thomas DeAngelis Gold Patrons Sharon Alverson Richard Urey Charles Donovan Judith Bakke Kendelyn Beck Frederic Weller Elizabeth Doran Thomas Burt Geraldine Beer David Wiesner Joaquin Duenas Gary Collier Cliff Bennett Jan Zausmer Cheryl Dyer B.P., Lester and Regina Susan Chapman Katie Elsila Johnson Foundation Paul Chevalier Donors Donna Eyman Dale Lombardo Margot Conard Carol Abram Madeline Farley Rudolph Pruden Ian Cullen Mamie Adair Brian Farquharson Marilyn Low Schmitt Tammy D’Aloia Patricia Aglietti August Filipi Hector Solivan Dina & James Dubrow Rosalie Alexander J. David & Anita Foreman Mark Zausmer Katherine Elicks Cynthia Allyn Sherry Foyer Nanci Evans Lynne Altwerger Tesni Freed Silver Patrons Mary Ann Fastook Elaine Anderson Michael Gabriele Judith Bassette Cynthia Fogg Lorraine Andrews Mary Jo Gaffney Caroline Callery Mary Gage John Andrews Joseph Galati Helen Carniglia Carol Garibaldi Anonymous Laura Gammon Lisa Garcia Marjorie Geisler Raymond & Janice Paul Geiger Emily Gross Rose Marie Goodnough Arenofsky Robert George Barbara Gustafson Philip & Bonnie Gorelick Marilyn Badurina Phillip & Lynne Gerard PJ McCormick Lisa Hadler Michelle Barker Ann Gould Alice Megna Geraldine Halland David Bartlett Wynne Gragg John Pendergrass Anna Hower Jeanette Bennett Dermod Grennan Leo Hull Keene Benson Monika Grozinger Bronze Patrons Peter Jardine Christine Bergensten David Guth Michael Agin Vivian Kline Maryka Bhattacharyya Judy Haglin Robert Cleary Joanne Lampey Chinda Blaschczyk Joyce Hall Marilyn Dziadzio John Lane Joyce Blum Jim & Cathy Hanlon Lorraine Fassett Sharon Levine Mary Brawley Janice Hannemann Steve Hicks Sheldon Levy Joyce Bryant Joe Hansford

8 Thomas & Karen Harte Susan Rowles Nancy Heaton Randall Royfe George Hebaus Diane Russell Edward Helmrich Laurie Ruzicka Thelma Himbaugh Robin Schoen John Hoefen Maria Secor Ruth Hollman Dorothy Shipko Christopher Holmes Robert Silver Paul & Grace Ingwalson Micaela Simon Larry Jacobs Mary Ann Singlaub Lynn & Michael Jennings Jerome Smith Charles Johnson Linda Stanton Ralph Jungheim Jean Steele Dennis & Diana Keenan Nancy Steeves Jim Kerr Marilyn Stringer Eleanor Kirby Antoinette Suba Judy Kislik Marie Svokos Sam Kosc Philip Tarullo Edward Kovach David Thomas Shelley Kurtz Henry “Hank” Tiffany Tribute Gifts Rabbi J. Godfrey Michael Larson Lynn Verger It is always heartwarming to Sylvia Gold Ellen Lentz Gary Wachtel receive gifts in honor of or in Jack Goldfarb Julie Lichtstein Leonard Weeks memory of people who have Gloria Heller Linda Lindenbaum Linda Weintraub touched the lives of others. Joyce Hohn Rod Lipp Joan Wernick In 2016 we received tribute Dorothea Hunt Barbara Lipp John Wheatley gifts for the following: Denise Johnston Philip & Jane Locascio Jim Williams Susan K. Mike Loeffelholz Barry Winiker In Honor Of… Ralph Kluter David Lubas Isabel Winsberg David & Jean Covington Marge Limprecht Muriel Lutes Heidi Zanelli Steven Farradino Virginia Mamola Harriett Lyle Martha Zausmer Ian Gold Mary Eileen McCora-Nestler Kathy Majka Joyce Zimmerman Harold Gorelick Carolyn McDaniels Tara Marcus James Zubulake Mary Hills Robert McIntyre Wendy Matthews Sandra Hofferth Alvin E. Neumeyer Roger Mattioli Due to space constraints, we Barry Hopper Bob Nies Audrey Messing are not able to list names of Celinda Jungheim Nancy Pillar Peter Miller those who contributed less Tom Kane Anne-Marie Polley-Kane Erin Mills than $100—but every gift George Klanica I & M Richman Meta Moder is important to us and our Kim Klaus Susan Tossetti Charlotte Moran mission. Please contact us Lois M. Lauy Josh Wagner William Mulloy if we have made a spelling Gene LeFort Lou Walsh Delores Munoz error or have inadvertently Sharon Levine Matthew Wilson Elizabeth Murphy left your name of the list. Philip Mancuso Mary Zena Barbara Nochumson Gilda Marconi Mom and Dad Shelley Noyce Tricia Mendoza Wilma Laurie Olszewski Hubert Mosschella Sandra Painter The “RI quotes” Kathy Nies Our list is undoubtedly Ann & Charles Parker Joyce Oliver incomplete. We sometimes Tara Pibel throughout Elaine Vosit receive tribute gifts with John Pletz this report are Martha Zausmer no name designated. Please Adele Plotkin accept our apologies if we Nick & Andrea Polizzi from the Har- In Memory Of... have inadvertently omitted Kathleen Quinlan mony Women’s Lorraine Badurina your loved one’s name, and Michael Radelow George Bliss contact us so that we may Gerald & Gladys Program in Antoinette Cesaranno correct our records. Ravenscroft San Diego. Olene (Wilke) Chard Jeanne Reddington Rosemary Clark Linda Reese Phil & Maxine Crane Paula Reisman Jolene Elconin’s Father Joan Rice Mary K. Fenlon Catherine Richey S. Gavern Lucy Rossi F. Gendler

Recovery International 2016 Annual Report 9 Society of Dear Ones

The Society of Dear Ones recognizes people who have provided for the future of Recovery International by including RI in their wills or estate plans. We are deeply grateful to the following for letting us know of their intentions, and we honor those who have made bequests:

Marcia Ashby Dale Marxen Moyra Curran Doris Ressler Elaine Barber William McGinn George Davis Nancy Roberts David Becker Meta Moder Robert Dey Leo Sands Stella Benkel Floretta Morris Ethel Doherty Millie Scanlan Phyllis Low Berning Sherwin Newman Nancy Duffy Ruth Schaitz Sue Beyerlin Phyllis Orr J. Taylor & Dorothy Elliott Irene Scheffler Cliff Brown Diane Peskin Margaret Ferry Lila Schenk Thomas Burt Randall Petersen Miriam Fischer Helen Schwartz Donna Cable Sheila Rabel Kay Fischer-Lewicky Clara Sieger Edith Campbell Jane Razza James Flynn, Jr. Robert Simmler Hal Casey Linda Reese Marian Fox Anita Singer Jeanne Clawson Ruth Reynolds Dolores Fuhrman Edwin Spiegel Gary Collier Isadore Richman Robert Frantz Robert Steigner Robert Coleman Harry Rubin Lloyd Glasier Garnet Stricklin Darlene Day Joyce Smith Evelyn Harriman Harold Van Deest Nancy Downes John Soderstrom Stanley Harris Anne Welsh Margaret Doyle Hector Solivan Elvira Hines Celeste West Ann Dunbar Nellie Taylor Sophia Holbrook Anne Will John Durkin Mollie Torgenson Barbara Johnson Lilyann & Edward Yokel Mary Ann Fastook Linda Weintraub Betty Keniston Mary Zena Theresa Fistere Anne Welsh Elaine Kingsfield Leonora Zinn Phyllis Greenberg David Wood Virginia Kline Donna Gunnison James Zubulake Keith Lane Mary Haicken Lois Levitt Geraldine Halland Estate Gifts Received: Douglas Light Robert Holcomb April Barthelmes Imogene Lomanto If you wish to join the So- Denise Holmes Joseph Bartz Geoge Markeloff ciety of Dear Ones, simply Susan Holt David Becker Coleen Marshall notify us of your intention Peter Jardine Gayle Berlin Cynda Overton Mast to include RI in your estate Celinda Jungheim Dolores Bihun Sophie Mazer plans. You do not need to Steven Kunze Sydney Bryan Marvin Meyer tell us the amount of the Everett LeCompte Eleanor Butcher William Miller planned gift—every contri- Gloria Lippmann Esther Cicero Robert Nies bution is precious to us. For Mike Loeffelholz Jeanne & Rodger Clawson Helwig Odlivak assistance with language Marilyn Low Schmitt Virginia Cline Russel Oleson to use in your will, contact Robert MacIntyre John Cobn Mary Plehn Sandra Wilcoxon at 312-962- Nancy Maier Frieda Cohen Edward Polainer 5991. Kathy Majka Jeanne Contazzo Margaret Rau

10 2016 Financial Statements

Balance Sheet as of Dec. 31, 2016 Current Assets $691,851 Fixed Assets $15,908 Other Assets (Area Accounts) $143,320 Total Assets $851,079

Current Liabilities $33,838 Equity $817,242 Total Liabilities & Equity $851,080

Budget Performance 2016 Actual 2017 Budget

Revenues Contributions $294,614 $331,250 Grants $140,888 $142,800 Sales & Earned Revenues $34,789 $36,740 Membership $24,212 $30,000 Volunteer Services & Misc. $1,085,348 $1,047,130 Total Revenues $1,579,851 $1,587,920

Expenses Program $377,218 $282,496 General & Administration $259,548 $203,100 Fundraising $72,959 $77,320 Volunteer Services & Misc. $1,025,745 $1,025,000 Total Expenses $1,735,470 $1,587,920

Net -$155,619 – 0 –

Financial Notes

I was hired in September 2016 to address a financial situation had and can continue to have for younger people, and I believe that had gone on too long. Recovery International had—with the we must become more visible in the mental health community best of intentions—operated a deficit budget for several years in to attract more people to our program. We must also train new anticipation of new grants and revenues that did not materialize. leaders and assistant leaders, and be willing to pass the mantle Clearly, this was not a sustainable model, and it whittled away at to the next generation. With everyone’s support, we can help RI cash reserves built up from the sale of the building downtown. become stronger and survive its current financial challenges.

The good news is that RI has no debt. And by cutting back on Sincerely, many expenses and slowly building up new revenues and fund- ing sources, I believe we will be operating in the black soon. I have included the 2017 budget here so that you may see the plan to reach a balanced budget.

In my short time here, I have come to realize how important this Sandra K. Wilcoxon organization and the Recovery method is to so many people. Chief Executive Officer I have been impressed with the number of people who have used this method for 20-30-40 years! I can see the value RI has

Recovery International 2016 Annual Report 11 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage 1415 W. 22nd St., Tower Floor PAID Oak Brook, IL 60523 Permit No. 6784 recoveryinternational.org Palatine, IL

Recovery with Faith Leadership

Executive Committee Since RI began, the organization These meetings were open to has had a prohibition against dis- church members only, and held Joanne Lampey, President cussing religion, sex, and politics on church grounds. The meeting New York Joan Nobiling, Vice President at meetings. This was considered opened and closed with a simple New York a practical rule, designed to avoid prayer, but the RI Leader abstained Nicole Cilento, Second Vice President sensitive topics that might provoke from discussing religion as part of New York temper, nervousness, or embarrass- the demonstrations and trainings. Michelle Barker, Secretary ment in a group setting. However, Thus, staff followed the RI Meth- New York recently, we have had the oppor- od and philosophy, but since the Hal Casey, Treasurer New Jersey tunity to present the RI method in presentation was made to a closed Sandra Wilcoxon, CEO the context of a spiritual communi- group, they were allowed latitude Illinois ty, in a way that is not antithetical that would not have been permit- Board Members to our mission. ted in a regular meeting that was open to the public. Judith Bakke California In the wake of grief following sev- Phyllis Berning eral teen suicides in San Diego, a Since then, representatives of Illinois psychotherapist, social worker and a Jewish Synagogue have Brendan Minnock pastoral counselor at Saint Mary approached the San Diego office Ireland Magdalene’s Catholic Church rec- with a request to hold RI trainings Marilyn Schmitt ommended Recovery International for their members, and this faith- Illinois Linda Stanton to church staff. This endorsement based link may prove to be a Minnesota helped us secure funding for positive way to reach new people Rob Winike training, allowed for advertising in need. Religious staff are often Oregon in church bulletins, and enabled the first to be approached by Staff them to provide a training room. family members regarding mental Sandra Wilcoxon, More than 50 people attended two and behavioral health issues. Chief Executive Officer training sessions over a six-week Partnering with faith-based Hiran Bhatt, period, and RI received favorable organizations will give staff and Program Director comments on the final evaluations. members the resources they need Everlean Pelt, The trainings were intended to to help congregants deal with Office Administrator Lisa Garcia, Project Manager give people the RI tools for dealing mental and behavioral health San Diego with their anger, anxiety, and de- issues in their families, to refer Sharon Levine, pression over recent incidents, and people to RI, and to perhaps host Administrative Assistant to improve communication within an RI meeting for their members. San Diego families. RI staff and leaders also Camille Rizzo, Telephone Groups Manager presented panel demonstrations at Gilda Marconi, two other San Diego Parishes, and “RI gives me more Telephone Groups Assistant RI member Tricia M. published an humor when Steven Ferradino, LPC, article regarding the training in the Online Meetings Manager it comes to Southern Cross, the official newspa- Professional Services my trivialities. per of the Diocese of San Diego. ” Chicago Transom Partners, Accounting, IT & HR